Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right by Rosie Steppe

Chapter 30

""Hey Cutie Pie."

The voice on the other end was husky and familiar, yet distant.

A familiar face popped into my mind, and I blurted out, "Wayne!"

I had hoped that changing my number would keep me off the Johnston family's radar, but I never expected Wayne to find this number and actually call me.

"Looks like you kept my number and didn't forget about me," Wayne's voice had that teasing edge.

He was only two years older than Jace. Before he left for abroad, he used to look out for me a lot and loved calling me Cutie Pie.

For a moment, I had no idea how to respond. His words sounded almost like he was complaining.

In the first couple of years after he left, I'd sometimes reach out, just to see how he was doing. But eventually, we lost touch.

Wayne was never the type to keep in contact. He barely talked to his family, so it was no surprise he didn't stay in touch with me.

calling me. I knew it

spoke to his family, they always shared important

I asked

for money to top up

admire him. No wonder he was a top student. He remembered my number

became my cherished keepsake. One day, I found the number suspended due to unpaid bills, so

embarrassed

it for something else. When I explained, he still didn't believe me and

I saw his call now, I joked, "Are

"Yep," he admitted.

but played along. "I can transfer the money to

Wayne cut

on the phone tightened, but I said nothing. Wayne stayed silent

+15 BONUS

silence. My parents are freaking out about you. They can't find you, and my mom...

to be this bad. Guilt and concern weighed heavy

blood pressure from all the stress," Wayne reassured me before hesitating.

I couldn't dodge this question. I knew I'd have to explain it over and over